New Delhi: North India continues to reel under a punishing heatwave, with temperatures breaching the 45°C mark in several parts of the region. Punjab’s Bathinda emerged as the hottest place in the country on Tuesday, recording a searing 47.6°C- five degrees above normal. Delhi too saw its hottest day of the season so far, touching 45°C.

The intense heat has not spared even the hilly regions, which traditionally offer respite from the plains. Himachal Pradesh’s Una recorded 44.2°C, marking the highest temperature of the season in the state, while Sundernagar registered 39.5°C—its highest since 2019. Heatwave conditions have also gripped Mandi, Kangra, Bilaspur and Kullu districts. Shimla too recorded its warmest day this year.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued Orange Alerts for severe heat in parts of North India, including Delhi, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. In the capital, residents have been warned to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions, with daytime highs forecast to hover around 45°C and nighttime temperatures staying around 29°C until at least Wednesday.

In Punjab, Ludhiana hit 45°C, while cities such as Chandigarh, Amritsar, Patiala, Faridkot and Gurdaspur recorded 44°C. The IMD expects heatwave conditions to persist across the state until 13 June, prompting the continuation of Orange Alerts.

Rajasthan’s Ganganagar wasn't far behind, experiencing a peak of 47.4°C. Meanwhile, Jammu recorded 44.4°C on Tuesday, and even Srinagar, known for its cooler climes, reached an unusually high 33.5°C. Relief is not expected in Jammu and Kashmir until at least Friday, according to meteorologists.

Uttarakhand too has not been spared. Dehradun saw its hottest day of the season on Tuesday with a high of 39.1°C, while other plains areas approached 40°C. However, there may be some relief on the horizon, with rainfall forecast from Wednesday onwards.

According to Bikram Singh, Director of the Meteorological Centre, a weather warning has been issued for several districts in Uttarakhand, including Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Almora, Champawat and Nainital. These areas may experience thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and strong winds starting Wednesday.

The IMD has urged people across the affected regions to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor exposure during peak hours, and take measures to prevent heat-related illnesses as the extreme temperatures are likely to persist over the coming days.